GASA asked to explain Amy Grant’s exclusion from CYG and Goodwill Games

Jul 25, 2017 Sports, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....-and-goodwill-games/

Attorneys-At-Law feels treatment is “Intensely Discriminating”

The ongoing disgruntlement of swimmers and targeted clubs have reached another boiling point in the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA).

Kaieteur Sport is in receipt of a Lawyers Letter that has been sent to the association from the mother of one of Guyana’s leading swimmers, Amy Grant.

Grant’s mother, through Attorneys-at-Law, Satram and Satram has written GASA demanding an explanation on the exclusion from the Guyana Team of young Grant from the just concluded Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG) and next month’s XX111 Goodwill Swim Meet scheduled to be hosted here from August 18-20 where teams from Suriname, St. Lucia, Barbados, and Trinidad &Tobago have been invited, while Grenada and Bahamas have been invited as guest teams.

With regards to the CYG, Kaieteur Sport has ascertained that the 15 year-old Grant, who has been dominant in her age group would have accumulated the highest FINA Aggregate Points yet was overlooked by GASA which sent Kenita Mahaica of Dolphin Speed Swim Club.

The letter dated June 26, 2017 was delivered to the GOA mailbox for the association but had a wrong address. However, it was subsequently hand delivered to the association Secretary Christine Bailey who was present at the National Aquatic Center, Liliendaal, on Thursday July 13th, last.

Grant’s new club, Dorado Speed Swim Club (DSSC) had written to the association in early May of this year requesting reasons for the 15-17 swimmers exclusion from the Guyana teams having already earned her place by beating her opposition.

GASA to date has not responded to its affiliate’s request, a pattern that has been consistent under the Presidency of Ivan Persaud who is also Chairman of the National Sports Commission.

To this unprofessional move, Satram & Satram noted in their letter that it is disturbing.

”We represent the child who has the protection which the law and international treaties to which Guyana has subscribed gives her and she cannot be properly or fairly excluded from representing a team in her category from Guyana where there is a competition for which she is qualified,” the letter notes.

It further stated: “The association has a responsibility to all children who are concerned in the competitions and it is disturbing to the child who has suffered distress by the unreasoned exclusion. We ask that you let us have your reasons for exclusion as were requested by the Dorado Speed Swim Club and we further ask that your response to us be given with the reasons within five days of the date of the letter hereof.”

To date, GASA has not responded.